Spring toward these events

Posted on April 15th, 2009 – 8:52 AM
By Bill Ward

Spring must be anon. How else to explain the upcoming spate of great wine events in the Twin Towns?

Actually, there are other factors — anniversaries, fundraisers, etc. — but part of it is that winery folks are more amenable to visiting our fair cities at times when the word “tundra” does not immediately come to mind. A little green goes a long way, it seems, and we’re not talking lucre here. But these events are independent of such promotional excursions:

*One of the area’s emerging retail outlets, Broadway Liquors, is holding a free tasting of two dozen-plus wines from 6-8 p.m. Thursday. The focus is on wines under $12 that provide tang (and flavor) for the buck.

*Improving one’s nose is an ongoing goal for many of us. Even if Saturday’s “The Seduction of Scent” doesn’t provide a quantum leap forward for attendees — and it just might — the Bell Museum of Natural History promises to serve “sumptuous wines” at the event. Avery Gilbert, a nationally known scent expert, will chat about the role scent plays in our lives. Cost is $30 in advance and $35 at the door for non-members, $10 less for members. For more info, call  612-624-9050.

*Broder’s Pasta Bar celebrates its 15th birthday Sunday in typically fine fashion, serving up a sumptuous midday (12:30 p.m.) meal built around the fantabulous pork products from Iowa’s La Quercia. Michael Rostance is not only one of the top toques in town, but a longtime member of the Slow Foods movement, so portions of the proceeds will go to that organization. That means that $25 of the $65 tariff is tax-deductible. There’s an optional wine-flight thingie for the seven-course feast that’s $40, $10 of it tax-deductible. This popular eatery has one of the most adeptly chosen wine lists in town, so that flight is sure to please. Call 612-925-9202 after 3:30 p.m. for reservations and more info.

*The “65 Roses Spring Wine-Up!” benefitting for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation unfolds from 3 to 7 p.m. on April 26 at the St. Paul Hotel. Tons of food (from Tria, the St. Paul Grill, Whole Foods, etc.) and all manner of wines should sate any appetite and slake any thirst. Half of the $100 ticket price is tax-deductible. For more info, go here.

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